Need a New Septic? You Might Need a Perc Test

 

A perc test, or more formally Percolation Test, is used to determine the soil absorption rate for a septic drain or “leach” field.

 

If you need to build a septic system, or have a new one for your property (perhaps in a different area) you will need to have a perc test done.

 

The perc test will allow the septic company to determine where to put the leach field for the septic system, as well as determine how big it must be based on the drainage.

 

I am certainly no expert, but am simply going through this process at my Mom’s property outside Philadelphia. We don’t come across these in my area of Southern California, but they are pretty common in more rural areas, and in many parts of the country. I thought it might be helpful to share what I learned from my perspective, as well as provide a shout out for Aqua Wastewater Management in the West Chester, PA area who has been working on the evaluation for a new septic (and providing services at my Mom’s house for a number of years).

 

The process may vary depending on the company, the area, and the general nature of the soil, but in this case proceeded as follows:

 

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A permit from the Health Department must be obtained before the perc testing can begin (this is not an inexpensive proposition, costing around $1100)

 

2 7-foot deep trenches were dug in the area where the company felt the system would likely be placed to take an initial look at the soil conditions.

 

Once they determined the soil appeared appropriate they dug 6 deep holes with a post hole digger, perhaps 8” in diameter and maybe 4 feet deep in this case (I understand the depth is determined by the initial trenching and soil conditions and can vary from hole to hole). The number of holes appears to vary with the size of the proposed leach field and other factors.

 

A measuring stick was placed in the holes and water was added to pre-soak each hole.

 

The testing (in this case) consisted of 6 episodes (minimum required) of putting water in each hole and measuring the amount of change in water level over a specified period of time.

 

The Health Department was present throughout the testing to insure the required process was followed in terms of timing and measurement as there are specific regulatory procedures to follow which include the number of measurements (a minimum of 6 with the first 2 ignored) and the permissible change in water level over time (i.e., how long it takes the water level to drop by a certain amount).

 

The absorption based on the testing helps determine the size of the leach field or even if it can be placed in a certain area, as does the number of bedrooms, all of which translates into cost (bigger system = greater cost) of the septic system.

 

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Other work may need to be done, as in this case since the septic system needed to be moved. That can include determining the number and location of pipes for the existing septic system (the have a neat camera they use to insert in the pipes) and evaluating where the new septic tanks and pipes will go relative to the location of the leach field.

 

 

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